While across the U.S. fast-food employees continue to protest for bigger wages, one chain restaurant in California decided to hire a new staff member who actually works for free.

A burger-flipping robot has just finished its first day at this new job replacing humans at the grill.

The name of the robot is “Flippy”. Flippy knows the art of making the perfect burger and just started work at a fast- food chain CaliBurger.

Who Made Flippy?

CaliBurger announced that they would install this high-tech replacement in 50 locations of CaliBurger around the world. The robotic kitchen assistant, i.e., Flippy is made by California startup company by the name Miso Robotics.

It should appear in 2018. According to David Zito, the CEO of Miso they are thrilled about the influence that the Miso’s Al-based solutions will have to the restaurant industry.

Also, the CEO added that it is very likely that their creation will contribute and push workers out of their jobs.

People will always have a crucial role when it comes to the hospitality side of this business. However, they are not sure what new roles will appear in this industry.

How Will This Affect Current Jobs?

Ironically, Flippy is made in order to replace workers. And this is happening in one of most progressive states in America. Some California cities already raised the minimum wage because the state has plans to push this rate to $15 by the year 2022.

According to Peter Tateishi, Sacramento Metro Chamber this wage is actually not sustainable for many companies. Simply because with that $5 increase it will come to $12,000 increase per employee.

And someone that surely agrees with the cost-saving strategy is the founder of CaliBurger. John Miller, the Cali Group CEO at a restaurant franchising summit in London envisioned that his chain is possible to operate without kitchen employees.

Miller says that a fully automated kitchen is possible. He added that they perceive themselves as a technology company that happens to sell burgers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2015 the median pay for 5 million fast-food employees was $9.44. “Flippy” will appear in kitchens across America in 2018.

That is when workers might encounter a new challenge in their combat for $15.